Energy card (TCG)

Energy cards (Japanese: エネルギーEnergy) are the cards that power Pokémon attacks in the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Without the required Energy cards attached, a Pokémon cannot use these attacks. Energy cards come in Basic and Special forms.

Basic Energy cards

Basic Energy cards (Japanese: 基本エネルギーBasic Energy) are defined as nine Energy cards that share their printed type with a Pokémon. They are the only cards that players are allowed to have more than four of in their decks (aside from Arceus which has its own Special Rule). Basic Energy cards always provide one of their printed type of Energy or one Colorless Energy*. There is no basic Energy card that provides only a single Colorless Energy, as it would be entirely outclassed by any of the other types.

Special Energy cards

Special Energy cards (Japanese: 特殊エネルギーSpecial Energy) are cards that provide more than one Energy of a specific type and/or have an additional effect besides providing Energy. Some may heal the Pokémon they're attached to, add damage to their attacks, or may even provide several different types of Energy at once. A majority of them provide only Colorless Energy; however, there are several which provide one or more of any type of Basic Energy.